Lc smith shotgun disassembly serial number#
Could this be what is inscribed on yours? Fluid steel was used for smokeless powders.ĭating your firearm would be almost impossibe as I've never heard of a serial number breakdown for Cresent-produced firearms. In 1904 Cresent started using fluid steel barrels. The HUNTER ONE TRIGGER that you mention most likely was an option as most of the Cresent double barrels came standard with two triggers. Or if this engraving is also obviously hand-wrought it could possibly have been a previous owner's name on the firearm. Smith was/is a builder/purveyor of finer quality firearms and was several steps above the level of most of the Cresent offerings. Smith that is engraved on the side is most likely an attempt to raise the price of the firearm. In those days there wasn't any sort of "truth in advertising" and many mis-leading claims were made in all industries and commercial enterprises. Belknap specified the brand name Hunter as the company name on the firearm. In your case Belknap Hardware wanted a specific double-barrel 12 ga to sell in their hardware stores, hence they contracted with Cresent to build the firearm. I appreciate your helpĬresent was a large conglomerate that made firearms to many clients specifications. On the receiver I found other patent marks and the serial number again. There is also "(something)RALE" above the circle and "(something)AT.K" under the circle. Harley, boy are you fast! but, ummmm.does that mean that "hunter" is the model and Belknap Hardware was the distributor? :confused: Do you have an idea when this particular weapon might have been made? The engravings on it are nice and obviously hand done would "L.C.SMITH" have been the person who did the engraving? And do you know where I can get my hands on anything about assembly/disassembly on it? The safety is broken and I can't get the selector switch to move from the right barrel indicator (might just be gummed up, but I don't know) I got the forearm off and discovered some more markings: on the forearm itself is another (matching) serial number and the patent date (may 28, 1901) and on both barrels is a crown looking thingy with "CRCV(something) STEEL H.A.CO." written in a circle around it. In 1932 it assets and machinery were bought by Stevens Arms Company, a victim of changing tastes and the depression
The Crescent /Folsom Arms Company continued this type of business until 1930 when it merged with Davis Warner Arms Corp and became the Crescent-Davis Arms Corp. Crescent also produced guns for its parent company, as Folsom house brands that were sold to customers that did not want their own brand name.īy the lat 1890's Crescent was producing basically five grade of dbl bbl shotguns offering a model for most tastes. By the turn of the century Crescent Arms produced huge quantities of "Hardware Guns" it produced guns under direct contract to distributors, mail order housed and hardware distributors with any brand name the customer requested. They were bought by the H&D Folsom Arms Company of New York, importers and distributors of firearms and sporting goods.Īfter the purchase of Crescent, the Folsom Company was able to offer a complete range of shotguns, imported English French, Belgium and American made Crescents. This Company mfg'd good quality, inexpensive side by side and single Bbl shotguns and was founded in 1883. YOur shotgun was made by Cresent Arms, and the Hunter was made for Belknap Hardware Co.